Received at 3:30 PM
WSF Fayette County. North Union Twp. Roosevelt Drive.

Received 3:46 PM
Butler PA. Rt 68. MVA involving a Lick Hill ambulance and Lick Hill fre unit. 1 ALS patient to be transported

Monroeville PA Allegheny County.

Roof Collapse at the Chambers Landfill. Reported 2 entrapped.

Received at 5:30 AM 1/5/08
Stowe Township, Allegheny County
Working Structure Fire
3 Alarms
927 Rosewood
Stations 276, 275, 277, 189 Truck, 109 RIT working

Chicora Borough, Butler County
Working Structure Fire
131 Green Street
2 Alarms
Stations 26, 28, 35, 9 and 230 working

Hi Badger 196,

Great picture. You're great!

Hi, thanks. It's funny how life experiences lead you to the career you've always needed to have...
Love the comment, and hope you never need that help, but I'd be there if I could..... Be safe!!!!!!

Hi. Salunga, Pa is a half hour from Harrisburg, and 15 minutes from Lancaster. Be safe out there.

Thanks for the nap i really enjoyed it lol

Penn Hills, Allegheny County, PA

A Penn Hills firefighter died Monday morning after responding to a fire call.

Harvey Jordon began experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain at the Penn Hills No. 1 fire station.

Fellow firefighers attempted CPR and he was taken to St. Margaret Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

A representative for the Fire Department stated the cause of death was an apparent heart attack.

Jordon had been on the force since 2003.

Funeral arrangements are pending

MVA Fire Truck vs Ambulance, Minneapolis

There was an emergency for two emergency vehicles early Thursday in south Minneapolis.

An ambulance flipped onto its side after colliding with a fire truck at E. 31st St. and Portland Ave. S. just after 5 a.m.

The ambulance belonged to Hennepin County Medical Center and the Minneapolis fire truck was dinged up.

No word yet on what caused the collision

Let's Slow Down !!!


Missouri Firefighter Gets Prison in Fatal Crash

Dominic Gillen of Seymour received a three-year prison sentence on Tuesday for a fatal traffic accident on Nov. 25, 2006. Gillen pleaded guilty last July for voluntary manslaughter for the death of Jacob Yeates, 17.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol estimates Gillen was speeding at 84mph and passed a family of four in a no-passing zone on a blind hill on Missouri 76. His car hit head-on a car driven by Yeates, a junior at Ava High School. Gillen, a volunteer firefighter for the Goodhope Fire Department, was heading to a brush fire in a personal vehicle with no lights or siren. He received minor injuries in the crash.

The three-year sentence is what Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Wade recommended. At the sentencing hearing, Yeates' mother gave a victim impact statement and urged the judge not to grant probation. Circuit Judge John Moody gave Gillen a week to get his affairs together before he has to begin his prison sentence.

Received 1/11/08
WSF Mckeesport, Allegheny County, PA

2 Alarm Structure Fire. 606 Atlantic. McKeesport

thanks for the invite. Well, it all depends, if you know where Johnstown is then it is kind of hard to pass alum bank. It only takes about 3 sec to pass it but it is there. we are located at the intersection of rt.56 and rt.96. It is actually pleasantville but it is also alum bank. it is in the Bedford County area. Every summer we have one of the largest car shows in the Tri County area, it lasts about 3 days. But anyway it is at the bottom of the mt. before you go into Johnstown. I really don't know how else to put it besides the middle of nowhere!! But that about sums it up.

thanks for the invite...sorry it took so long to respond...I messed up my computer for a long time..but it is fixed now

January 12, 2008

Working structure fire
Bellvue, Allegheny County'PA

Bellevue - Building Fire - 38 Grant Ave - St 108 250 RIT109

January 12, 2008 9:30 PM
Port Vue, Allegheny County, PA
Working Structure Fire.
900 Block Glenn Avenue. Units on scene fully invovled abadnoned single family structure. Exterior Ops only.

Baltimore County LODD - Heart Attack

Sunday, January 13, 2008- It is with deep regret that we advise you that at approximately 1300 hours, Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Jarrett Dixon, 36 years old, of the Baltimore County Fire Department suffered cardiac arrest and was not revived. FADO Dixon had developed chest pains at work while conducting physical training at his assigned duty Fire Station 5 "B" Shift on Wednesday. He was treated and transported by EMS personnel from his career station to a local hospital.

Copied from The Secret List

Firefighter Flown out of Florida Building Collapse

A Lakeland (Florida) Firefighter was flown out to Tampa General Hospital tonight after operating at a structural fire when there was a collapse. The Firefighter was operating at the single family dwelling fire around 2315 hours this evening. He and another Firefighter were inside the structure when it collapsed, trapping them inside. We have been advised that 1 Firefighter was flown to the hospital.
Updates to follow or posted as needed.

Copied from firefighterCloseCalls.com

AMBULANCE CRASHED WITNESSED BY LOCAL CHIEF
Friday, January 11, 2008

At 14:50 this afternoon I personally witnessed a frightening accident involving an ambulance running code transporting a patient with heart problems.

The ambulance belonging to the South Jefferson Ambulance Squad was responding to the local hospital about two blocks from my home. I heard the ambulance coming from a distance. As it got close to the intersection the traffic signal in the ambulance’s direction of travel turned "RED." As the ambulance was approximately 100-150 ft from the intersection a car that had been stopped at the cross street chose to cross that street in front of the ambulance as it now had a green light.

A second car further back on the cross street saw that they had a green light continued to accelerate to get through the intersection not realizing an ambulance was speeding towards the intersection with lights and siren blaring. As that car with three teenagers arrived at the intersection they quickly learned the ambulance was there and not stopping. The ambulance driver had not even slowed after the first car had cross in front of them.

It is my belief that the car was moving at 15-20 mph, and the ambulance was at 35-40 mph. The ambulance failed to stop at the light and collided with the car. As the ambulance went careening down the street it sideswiped a mini-van stopped at the red light. In my opinion if the ambulance had not sideswiped the minivan it would have overturned.

The good Lord was obviously looking out for people today. The driver of the car went to the hospital with neck pain, the other two occupants of the vehicle were uninjured, all were belted in and airbags worked to perfection. The driver of the mini-van said he would likely need to change his underwear but was belted and unhurt. The patient in the ambulance was transferred in minutes to another ambulance for the two block trip to the hospital without injury. The attendant in the back had just sat down and buckled in and was therefore unhurt, but his words to me were that the driver had really "f**ked up" as he didn’t even slow down at the intersection.

The driver was taken by PD to the hospital to be checked out but had no apparent injuries as he was belted in. It one thing to read about these incident but to be within 20 feet of the incident when it goes down is radical!!!!


Story received via email

Copied from FirefighterCloseCalls.com

I teach a very good course called every responder goes home. Unfortunately only 6 people from my dept out of 54 active members who signed up for free jackets could make it to class. I will continue to offer the class to my agency and hope my chief would make it mandatory. From the 6 who took it I do a remarkedly good improvement when they drive emergency veh as well as POV's,

VETERAN FIRE-POLICE OFFICER INJURED WHILE RESPONDING TO FIRE CALL
Sunday, January 13, 2008

A veteran Hamilton (NJ)Fire-Police officer was injured when his personal vehicle was struck by a suspected drunken driver as he responded to a fire call in the township late Thursday, authorities said yesterday.

Robert Barbalacci, 68, of Hamilton suffered head injuries when his minivan collided with a pickup truck at about 11:10 p.m. Thursday. He was released from Capital Health System at Fuld hospital in Trenton yesterday afternoon.

The driver of the pickup, Donna Greene, 54, also of Hamilton, was charged with drunken driving, aggravated assault by auto and related charges in connection with the crash on Klockner Road at Snowball Lane. She was not injured in the collision, police said.

Barbalacci is a volunteer with the Colonial Fire Co. and was responding to a fire alarm call at Clare Bridge of Hamilton, a senior housing community on White Horse-Mercerville Road. He has been a township volunteer -- either as a firefighter or fire police officer -- for about 45 years.

On Klockner Road, police said, Greene crossed the center line and crashed head-on into Barbalacci’s vehicle.

Reached at home yesterday, Barbalacci said he does not remember the crash, but awoke to being strapped to a stretcher. He said the last thing he recalls is following Nottingham Fire Co.’s ladder truck to the scene.

At Fuld hospital, Barbalacci said, he underwent a CT scan and doctors were concerned he had serious internal trauma. But tests were negative, and the injuries to his head and face turned out to be non-life-threatening.

"It was very scary," he said. Yesterday he was dealing with cuts to the left side of his face, and his left eye was still closed due to the swelling.

Colonial Fire Chief Brian Moss said he and the rest of the company are happy that Barbalacci is not seriously injured, and his release from the hospital yesterday was a relief for everyone. Moss was directing units at Clare Bridge when he was told of the crash and accompanied Barbalacci to the hospital.

"He’s been our top responder the last couple years," Moss said. Barbalacci said he went to 450 fire calls in 2007.

"Now we just have to figure out how to raise some money and get (Barbalacci) another vehicle," Moss said.

The Clare Bridge call was deemed minor; steam in the kitchen activated a heat detector

Greene, who owns and operates the First & Ten Sports Pub on Hamilton Avenue with her husband James could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The related charges against Greene are reckless driving, refusal to submit to a breath test and drunken driving in a school zone.


Saturday, January 12, 2008
BY KEVIN SHEA


Fire-Police Officers are members of FDs who
handle traffic and FD scene security


Notification

USE OF INFORMATION FROM FirefighterCloseCalls.com and The Secret List should be passed along to FIREFIGHTERS and those who support (or are supposed to support!) us! Credit shall be given to www.firefighterclosecalls.com and if you are truly committed to firefighter safety, that should be no problem. If you aren't, and you don't give us credit and try to prostitute this stuff as your own, we'll find you and expose you. We Promise. Odd's are... our mailing list is bigger than yours!

Thanks for the add. Have a great week and be safe

nice pic of the dog!

Ha how are you love your dog .I have a dog to she is 10 years old they are the best friends you can have. wel you stay safe.

Thanks for adding me as a friend.

Thanks for the add.

You sound like you would fit right in with our volunteer fire department!

WSF Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Working structure fire 2800 BlockCalifornia Avenue

thank for add me

That's just it - we mostly are "old guard"! *LOL* We do have some "young guns" but they are mostly cautious, not at all opposed to learning how to do things the right way!

We regret to advise you that a 20 year old Volunteer Firefighter from Cambria (WI) was killed in the Line of Duty yesterday afternoon when his car crossed into opposing traffic and collided with two semi-trucks on the scene of a previous incident.
Firefighter Ryan Jones, a 2005 Cambria-Friesland H.S. graduate and "star running back" in his community was killed almost instantly after crashing with first one, then the other truck just after 1400 hours.
The drivers of the two semi-trucks were not injured. FF Jones was traveling west on the highway when, without warning, Jones's car crossed the center line and collided head-on with an eastbound semi-truck, which veered off into a ditch.
Additional details will be posted. Our sincere sympathy to all affected, especially the family of FF Ryan Jones.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.

The Secret List 1-16-08 / 0733 Hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

TY for the warm welcome!!! It's much appreciated!!! Especially with me being new to the Fire Side of EMS!!! LOL.... Well Stay Safe & Have Fun!!!

Another Firefighter arrested for DUI

EL CERRO MISSION, N.M. -- A volunteer Meadow Lake firefighter was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of drunken driving after the tanker truck he was driving rolled while en route to a structure fire.

Leopoldo Gutierrez, 23, is being held in the Valencia County Adult Detention Center on a count of aggravated DWI. His bond has been set at $7,500 cash or surety.

Gutierrez and firefighter Fred Arleth, 49, were responding to a structure fire in El Cerro Mission when the crash occurred.

Gutierrez was traveling on Van Camp at an unknown speed and attempted to turn on Bonita Vista when the tanker truck overturned, landing in a field about 50 yards from the road, sheriff’s deputy Ed Chavez said.

Valencia County Fire Chief Charles Eaton said Gutierrez and Arleth suffered injuries, including cuts and bruises. Arleth also suffered a dislocated shoulder.

"During the interview with deputies, he (Gutierrez) was asked if he had been drinking," Chavez said. "He said he had a hot toddy and had taken some cold medicine."

Asked whether he would take a breath test or submit to a blood test, Gutierrez refused, the deputy said.

Eaton said Gutierrez has been placed on suspension from the Meadow Lake fire department.

His future with the county fire service will be determined by the outcome of an investigation and criminal charges.

The fire chief said the tanker truck sustained a considerable amount of damage. Eaton said he won’t know whether the vehicle can be repaired until an insurance adjuster investigates.








Notification

USE OF INFORMATION FROM FirefighterCloseCalls.com and The Secret List should be passed along to FIREFIGHTERS and those who support (or are supposed to support!) us! Credit shall be given to www.firefighterclosecalls.com and if you are truly committed to firefighter safety, that should be no problem. If you aren't, and you don't give us credit and try to prostitute this stuff as your own, we'll find you and expose you. We Promise. Odd's are... our mailing list is bigger than yours!

Working Structure Fire

Allegheny Twp - Westmoreland County

900 Block Williams Rd

Attached Garage Fire w/ Entrapment - St 99 101 53

PA FIREFIGHTER DIES IN HIS OWN HOUSE FIRE
Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Lycoming County coroner has released the name of a volunteer firefighter and EMT who was found dead this morning after a fire at his home.
Scott Wettlaufer, 23, died from breathing in too much smoke. Late Wednesday night, investigators said the fire started in the living room of the mobile home, but they may never know what started the deadly fire.
Emergency crews fighting the fire found out not long after arriving that the victim was one of their own.

Wettlaufer was a part of the Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Department for years. It was hard for fellow firefighters knowing there was no way to save him.
"Situations like this make it hard for everyone when you lose one of your own," said Sergeant Joseph Hope of the Old Lycoming Township Police Department. "Some people feel they should have got in there quicker, but there was no way, couldn’t get in there. There was no way. They feel bad about that."
Flames left only a shell of the mobile home near Cogan Station. Firefighters could do little to stop the fire from spreading. There was little chance of saving their friend and colleague.

"It was quite heavy involvement when police units arrived with fire departments shortly behind. It’s like most trailer fires, tend to burn rapidly," add Sergeant Hope.
The department chaplain will now have to console rescuers. It won’t be easy for them to forget this fire fight. "Dad was trying to get in. We had to hold him back. You can just imagine. It was awful," the chaplain said.
"I got up and saw smoke going over my trailer. I went outside and saw flames and smoke coming out of the trailer," said neighbor Samuel Wadrell.
He ran over to the burning mobile home, turned off the gas outside and pulled some fuses. Another man helped too.
A passerby was actually going south on Old Lycoming Road, saw the smoke and came over and tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher but it was too heavily involved at that time.
Firefighters said flames started in the front of the mobile home. The body was found in the back, just a few feet from a door. Rescuers believe the man had already been overcome by the time they got there.
Family members said as they stood and watched the home burn they hoped their loved one had gone to work. Then came the discovery inside.
"It appears he may have been trying to get out or maybe check on the welfare of the rest of his family before exiting," said Lycoming County Coroner Chuck Kiesling.
Hepburn Township volunteer firefighters on the scene had to deal with the fact their friend didn’t get out, that the flames were just too much. Investigators were left digging for a cause, knowing who lost his life.
"When it’s one of our own it makes it so difficult. It’s hard for them, for the firefighters here but we’re just going to work through it," Kiesling added.
Neighbor Amber Shultz will miss a smiling face from her neighborhood. She said looking at all the damage was surreal. "He was just always happy, never in a bad mood. he was always making fun of someone. I don’t know how to explain it. He was just a happy person," Shultz said.
Wettlaufer was on suspension from the fire department. He was accused of stealing a laptop computer and cell phone from the department. His preliminary hearing on the charges was schuduled this afternoon.
Despite that, his fellow firefighters said the fire department was Wettlaufer’s life.







Notification

USE OF INFORMATION FROM FirefighterCloseCalls.com and The Secret List should be passed along to FIREFIGHTERS and those who support (or are supposed to support!) us! Credit shall be given to www.firefighterclosecalls.com and if you are truly committed to firefighter safety, that should be no problem. If you aren't, and you don't give us credit and try to prostitute this stuff as your own, we'll find you and expose you. We Promise. Odd's are... our mailing list is bigger than yours!

Working Structure Fire
Bethel Park, Allegheny County, PA

2 Alarms. West Library Avenue, intersecting Highland Road. 3 story single residential, heavy fire in basement, extension to the third floor.

thanks for the add! how you doin today?

stay safe,
~Marie

thanks for the positive commentary :) I certainly hope so!!!!

now i just have to find my passport so i have enough id's to take the written for registry!

Hope you have a great weekend. Stay safe!

Received 10:40 PM January 18, 2008
Working Structure Fire Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA

Spring Garden Avenue at Garden Street

3 Story vacant dwelling, fully involved

Received 3:40 AM January 19, 2008
Working Structure Fire, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA
300 Block University Avenue

2 Alarm Structure Fire. Heavy fire on 2nd and 3rd floor of a single family dwelling

Received 3:52 AM January 19, 2008
Working Structure Fire, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA
940 Lamont Street. Working Residential fire.

PBF is working hard this evening

Received 9:00 AM January 19, 2008
Working Structure Fire, Whitehall, Allegheny County, PA
Working Residential Structure Fire

Rain Tree Drive. Single Residential structure, with working fire and explosions is garage, fire extending to basement

Received January 19, 2008 11:26 AM
Working Structure Fire, Dormont, Allegheny County, PA
3254 Beacon Hills Road

haha! you mean im not supposed to amputate for a papercut? can i atleast wrap a tourniquet around someones neck to stop a head bleed?? lol

whats really sad is they actually pat you down when you go in to test, you cant even bring in an apple, tissues, or keys.... you have to scan your fingerprints in, and if you leave for the bathroom you scan out and back in...... if you have a cold your put in your own little quarentine cubicle

sweet :) i already get the c-spine job during most of the extrications im on due to bein littler.... my favorite hooray for being short moment was when we practiced intubating a dummy that was the driver of a vehicle we have in the classroom... all the other guys had to awkwardly try and intubate while leaning thru the window, whilst i just crawled in between the driver and wheel and intubated while in the vehicle, took me bout half the time as everyone else.....

being able to stretch out in the helo's unlike the big guys is nice too :)

our pd helo uses 2 flight medics..... the other 2 agencies in the area that have 7 birds tween the 2 have 1 medic and 1 rn per shift

i pretty much am.... ive flown with the ffx1 guys too many times to count, and did a shift with medstar already..... i'll pick trauma over medical anyday

heh thanks! im def not the size 3 with abs i usedta be though!